Cafe Scientifique

The Center for Science in Society is hosting a series of
discussions, every other Monday evening from 7-8pm beginning January 26,
2009 in the Multicultural Center. These discussions, called Cafe
Scientifique, are designed to foster an informal discussion on important
issues where science and culture meet head on. Refreshments will be
provided by the Center for Science in Society.

What is Cafe Scientifique?

The concept of the Cafe Scientifique goes back to the turn of the century. The first cafes were held in Leeds, UK in 1998. From there, cafes gradually spread across the UK. Currently, some forty or so cafes
meet regularly to hear scientists or writers on science talk about their
work and discuss it with diverse audiences around the world.

Cafe Scientifique is a place where anyone can come to explore the
latest ideas in science and technology over a cup of coffee or glass
of wine. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even
theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context. Cafe
Scientifique is a forum for debating science issues, not a shop
window for science. The idea is based on the commitment to promoting
public engagement with science and to making science accountable.

Cafes Scientifiques often start with a short talk from the speaker,
who is usually a scientist or a writer on science to introduce the
topic. After this, there is usually a short break to allow glasses to
be refilled and conversations to start. This is followed by an hour or
so of questions and answers and general discussion. Anyone can ask a
question, and we positively welcome those which begin "This might be a
stupid question, but ..." These questions are invariably not stupid
and often rather insightful.

Cafes Scientifiques cover a wide range of issues relating to science
and technology. Topics covered have included AIDS, the Big Bang,
biodiversity, cancer, code-breaking, consciousnes sports science,
superconductors and more. All Cafes Scientifiques welcome suggestions
from the audience about their programs.

Can you hear or speak the name of a place without tapping a preconceived
notion of that place? What do you think of when someone says "up north"
or "down south," and why does it matter? What is "place bias" or
"geographic bias," how does it shape our view or judgment of the world,
and is it possible to not have it? What stories do maps tell, and whose
stories? Who or what is mapped, by whom, and for what purpose? Let's
discuss these and other key questions in Geographic Information Science
to see how they connect with social justice, and what we can do about it.

Why is evolution so controversial? An exploration of why Darwin and evolution are such controversial subjects in the U.S. today. In anticipation of our conversation, you might want to look at the recent NPR program about the legal proceedings in Dover., PA. - (see especially chapters 4 and 12).http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/id/program.html

Calendar of Events

January 26, 2009

What killer robots say about the state of social activism

February 9, 2009

Geographic
Information Science (GIS), Social Justice and Sense of Place